| weet it is to enjoy America’s midwinter | | | | “No Penalty Pina Colada” |
| pro football spectacles: the NFL playoffs | | | | (non-alcoholic) |
| culminating in Super Bowl Sunday! Then the Pro | | | | 2 cups Fresh Cubed Pineapple |
| Bowl arrives as a pleasing bonus a week later! | | | | ½ cup Pineapple Juice |
| Like pseudo holidays, the games are savored by | | | | ¼ cup Cream of Coconut |
| a gazillion fans nationwide -- from season ticket | | | | 1 cup ice cubes |
| holders and the football faithful to those weekend | | | | 1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream |
| watchers who barely know the difference | | | | Combine juice and cream in blender. With the |
| between a touchdown and a touchback. | | | | motor running add the pineapple and ice. Process |
| Where will YOU be during this season of pigskin | | | | until smooth. Add ice cream and process until |
| popularity, publicity and party-going? | | | | smooth. Makes one blender full. |
| Most of us will be watching the action on TV -- | | | | “Turnover Toddy” |
| surrounded by traditional TV-watching fare like | | | | 7 ounces Hot Tea |
| cheeses, chili, chips and dips, ribs, wings, salads, | | | | 1 tablespoon Honey |
| tacos, burgers and bratwurst. | | | | 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice |
| And what will everybody be drinking with those | | | | Pinches of Cinnamon, Ground Cloves and Nutmeg |
| tasty treats? If you think the answer is | | | | Lemon Wedge for garnish |
| “beer” -- think again. Whether | | | | In an Irish Coffee Glass, pour honey, lemon juice |
| you’re tailgating in Tampa, partying in | | | | and spices. Top with hot tea and stir. Garnish with |
| Pittsburgh, bar-hopping in Baltimore, or making | | | | lemon. |
| merry in Manhattan, Arizona or Philadelphia, | | | | And here’s information to know about |
| you’ll want to toast your favorite team | | | | “Super Wines”… including |
| with something saucier. Of course we’re | | | | three wines that are team players for any Super |
| talking about wine, the libation that traditionally | | | | Bowl match-up. They’re universal and go |
| cascades (think champagne!) throughout every | | | | with all the foods you’ll be serving at your |
| winning locker room. | | | | tailgate get-together or while sitting around the |
| Now’s the time to prepare what | | | | televised game: |
| you’ll serve or order in the way of | | | | Dry Riesling –-(dry white wine). Rieslings |
| wonderful liqueurs and wine cocktails, in all their | | | | come in different sweetness levels. If |
| diversity and delectability. You’ll want to | | | | you’re choosing a domestic Riesling, very |
| know about the reds, whites and rosés, | | | | often the label will indicate “dry.” If |
| spritzers, cocktails, punches, ciders and hot | | | | it’s a German Riesling, look for the words |
| toddies that will score at your football bash. And | | | | “Trocken” or |
| that’s just the beginning. You’ll also | | | | “Kabinett.” |
| want to include flavorsome | | | | Pinot Noir -–(dry red wine). Not as heavy |
| “mocktails” for the under-21 | | | | or tannic as a Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s |
| crowd and all those designated drivers. | | | | equally at home with barbecue ribs or veggies and |
| Some football-esque wine creations that will make | | | | ranch dip. Advice: Do not try to get by with the |
| the best splash at your championship celebration: | | | | cheap ones. Because the Pinot Noir grape is |
| Saucy Sisters’ Super Bowl and Pro Bowl | | | | temperamental and sensitive to climate conditions, |
| Recipes… | | | | it’s expensive to produce. |
| “Quarterback Sack Punch” | | | | Champagne --(sparkling wine). This is a celebratory |
| 1 gallon apple cider | | | | drink, but you don’t have to win to enjoy |
| 1 cup sugar | | | | it. Champagne is the life of every party! |
| 4 cinnamon sticks | | | | And don’t forget to include wine delights |
| 1 bottle (or less) Everclear (190 proof grain | | | | for dessert! Some people try to create good |
| alcohol) | | | | pairings by matching sweet wines with sweet |
| Combine first three ingredients and simmer for 30 | | | | foods, but we think dessert wines are best as |
| minutes. Remove from heat and cool for 15 | | | | desserts in themselves. Not only are dessert |
| minutes. Add one bottle Everclear. Simmer on | | | | wines sweet and satisfying, a three-ounce serving |
| stove to re-warm. Do not boil! Serve in coffee | | | | has less fat and fewer calories than a serving of |
| mug. | | | | any other dessert (an average of 130 calories and |
| “MVP Martini” | | | | no fat compared to 300 calories and 18 grams of |
| ½ ounce Maraschino Liqueur | | | | fat for a slice of cheesecake). Top off your pro |
| 2 ounces Vodka | | | | football celebrations with a dessert wine |
| 2 ounces Pear Nectar Juice | | | | that’s sure to score with your guests. We |
| 1 Maraschino Cherry for garnish | | | | can recommend any of these flavorful, |
| Put liqueur and juice into cocktail shaker with ice. | | | | “late” harvest wines and fortified |
| Stir and strain into martini cocktail glass. Garnish | | | | wines ideal for desserts: Sauternes, Barsac, |
| with cherry. | | | | Beerenauslese, Tokay, Madiera, Port, Sherry. |